LARNED — It’s the second weekend of June, and that means it’s time for the Annual Santa Fe Trail Days celebration. The four-day event has something for every age group, with shopping, food, entertainment, contests and, of course, entertainment. Today, the Annual Community Banquet and opening ceremony will be held at the Larned Knights of Columbus Hall, with social hour beginning at 6 p.m., and supper at 6:30 p.m.
On Friday, concession and craft vendors will be set up along Broadway all day, starting at 10 a.m. High Plains Credit Union, 601 Main, is hosting a hamburger feed starting at 11 a.m. Food is free with the purchase of a commemorative button; otherwise the cost is $5 per person.
The carnival midway opens at 6 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. The cost for a wristband that includes unlimited rides until 10 p.m. is $25. Only tickets after 10 p.m. H&H Roofing will host an ice cream social at their showroom at 7th and Broadway from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The beer garden opens at 7 p.m. and continues until midnight on 7th Street between Broadway and Main. At 9 p.m., the Aaron Wood Band performs. Country music is their scene.
On Saturday, the Santa Fe Trail Auto Club is holding a Shine and Show on the south side of the Larned Chamber of Commerce building on 5th Street from 8 a.m. to noon. Other activities downtown that morning include an inflatable course a the Courthouse lawn, courtesy of the Larned Assembly of God Church, a petting zoo at 803 Main St., courtesy of Saints. Mary and Saints Mary and Martha Episcopal Church, and more concession and craft vending.
At 11 a.m., Hutchinson Regional Medical Center presents the Santa Fe Trail Days Parade. For those who want to beat the heat, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a reunion slide show will be presented at State Theatre, 617 Broadway, courtesy of the Larned All School Reunion committee. David Zook will also be offering horse-drawn wagon rides immediately following the parade, until 2 p.m. Rides are free for those wearing the button, or $1 for those without.
The carnival midway opens again at 11:30 a.m. and will continue until 11 p.m.
At noon, an event that has drawn a good deal of interest from all around Larned is the United Way of Central Kansas Duck Race. Tickets are still available for purchase, and proceeds help to support charities all over Barton and Pawnee counties. Starting at Kansas and 5th Street, ducks will race down the street to the delight of all.
Also at noon, the American Legion Riders Chapter 106 will hold the annual Santa Fe Trail Days poker run. Registration the day of the event is at the American Legion Post, 115 E. 7th St., beginning at noon. First bike out at 1:15 p.m., last bike out at 1:30 p.m., last bike in at 6 p.m.
At 2 p.m., families are invited to attend the Prairie Arts Unlimited street juggler and performer in front of the State Theatre. Then, at 3 p.m., Larned Civic Pride is sponsoring a matinee movie at the State Theatre, which is free with a button or $4 without.
The beer garden gets going again at 7 p.m., and those with buttons will enjoy $1 off beers.
Fabulous Flippers to celebrate Tammen
The Fabulous Flippers perform from 8-9 p.m., in a reunion concert celebrating the life of band member Jerry Tammen. According to an April 3, 2017, article by Beccy Tanner, “Drummer from Fabulous Flippers dies listening to James Brown,” Tammen, the band’s drummer and a 1962 graduate of Larned High School, died the previous week at the age of 72. The band was described as a “hot rock and roll band known across the Midwest,” back in the day (the 1960s).
According to Tanner, “the Fabulous Flippers were best known for their hit “Harlem Shuffle,” which topped the charts for 16 straight weeks on radio stations throughout the Midwest.”
The band broke up in 1972, but did several reunion concerts, including their last in 2012 in Hutchinson. Following the Flippers at 9 p.m. Saturday is the band Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations, playing good time rock and roll.
Sunday brings one more day of concession and crafts vendors, and the final chance to enjoy the carnival midway, which wraps up at 4 p.m. At 1 p.m., the Larned Chamber of Commerce draws button winners at 502 Broadway. Winners must be present with their buttons. Edward Jones and Country Living of Larned will also host another ice cream social at that location. Enjoy ice cream and toppings while you wait to see if you win. That way, everyone’s a winner.
